Hans bell housing for inflating and deflating a balloon envelope

ABSTRACT

A fixed housing that is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope and an impeller housing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position, wherein the impeller housing is moveable into the balloon envelope relative to the fixed housing in an open position, and wherein the impeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the open position.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Computing devices such as personal computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers, cellular phones, and countless types of Internet-capabledevices are increasingly prevalent in numerous aspects of modern life.As such, the demand for data connectivity via the Internet, cellulardata networks, and other such networks, is growing. However, there aremany areas of the world where data connectivity is still unavailable, orif available, is unreliable and/or costly. Accordingly, additionalnetwork infrastructure is desirable.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an apparatus is provided having (a) a fixed housing thatis securable to a balloon envelope, (b) an impeller housing comprisingan impeller, wherein the impeller housing is at least partially disposedwithin the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housing comprises aplurality of vents, wherein an airflow passageway is defined from insidethe impeller housing through the plurality of vents, and wherein theimpeller housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition, (c) one or more actuators configured to move the impellerhousing between the closed position and the open position, (d) whereinthe impeller housing and the fixed housing are arranged such that, whenthe impeller housing is in the closed position, the impeller housingseals an interior volume of a chamber within the balloon envelope thatis securable to the fixed housing, and (e) wherein the impeller housingand the fixed housing are further arranged such that when the impellerhousing is in the open position the impeller housing extends into andopens the airflow passageway to the interior volume of the chamberwithin the balloon envelope that is securable to the fixed housing.

In a further aspect, an apparatus is provided having (a) a fixed housingthat is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope, and (b) animpeller housing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein the impellerhousing and the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position, whereinthe impeller housing is moveable into the balloon envelope relative tothe fixed housing in an open position, and wherein the impeller housingdefines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamberin a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the open position.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided having (a) an impellerhousing comprising a hollow cylindrical body with a first end and asecond end, (b) a plate having a periphery that is coupled to the firstend of the impeller housing, wherein a flange extends radially outwardfrom the impeller housing below the plate, (c) a plurality of ventsdefined in the impeller housing between the plate and the flange,wherein an airflow passageway is defined from the second end of theimpeller housing through the hollow cylindrical body of the impellerhousing to the plurality of vents, and (d) an impeller disposed withinthe impeller housing between the first end and the second end of theimpeller housing.

In an additional aspect, a method is provided including the steps of (a)operating a control system for a balloon comprised of a fixed housingthat is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope and an impellerhousing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housingand the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position, wherein theimpeller housing is moveable into the balloon envelope relative to thefixed housing in an open position, and wherein the impeller housingdefines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamberin a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the open position, (b)receiving a signal to increase or decrease an amount of air within theballoon envelope, (c) spinning the impeller, (d) causing one or moreactuators to move the impeller housing from the closed position to theopen position, and (e) moving air between the balloon envelope and theatmosphere.

In a further aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium isprovided having stored therein instructions executable by a computingdevice to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising (a)operating a control system for a balloon comprised of a balloonenvelope, a fixed housing secured to the balloon envelope, wherein thefixed housing comprises an open-ended, hollow cylinder defining a firstplurality of vents in a cylindrical sidewall, wherein the fixed housinghas an open first end that has a periphery and a closed second end thatdefines an aperture, an impeller housing partially disposed within thefixed housing and extending through the aperture of the fixed housing,wherein the impeller housing comprises a hollow cylindrical body with afirst end and a second end, a plate having a periphery is coupled to thefirst end of the impeller housing, wherein a flange extends radiallyoutward from the impeller housing below the plate, a second plurality ofvents are defined in the impeller housing between the plate and theflange, wherein an airflow passageway is defined from the second end ofthe impeller housing through the hollow cylindrical body of the impellerhousing to the second plurality of vents, an impeller disposed withinthe impeller housing between the first end and the second end of theimpeller housing, and one or more actuators in mechanical communicationwith the flange of the impeller housing, wherein the plate is movablefrom a closed position to an open position, wherein the periphery of theplate mates with the periphery of the first end of the fixed housing toform a seal in the closed position, and wherein the plate and at least aportion of the second plurality of vents extend into the balloonenvelope in the open position providing fluid communication betweenatmosphere and an internal chamber of the balloon envelope via theairflow passageway, (b) receiving a signal to increase or decrease anamount of air within the balloon envelope, (c) spinning the impeller,(d) causing the one or more actuators to move the impeller housing fromthe closed position to the open position, and (e) moving air between theballoon envelope and the atmosphere.

In a further aspect, a balloon is provided having a balloon envelope anda bladder within the balloon envelope and means for filling and ventingair from the bladder within the balloon envelope.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description, with reference where appropriate to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a balloon network,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a balloon-network control system,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a high-altitudeballoon, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a balloon having an air mass fill andrelease mechanism positioned beneath the balloon envelope and above thepayload, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the air mass fill and release mechanismshown in FIG. 4, according to an example embodiment, in a closedposition.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the air mass fill and release mechanismshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to an example embodiment in, an openposition.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the top of the air mass fill andrelease mechanism shown in FIGS. 4-6, according to an example embodimentin an open position.

FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the air mass fill and release mechanismshown in FIGS. 4-7 with a motor disposed within a receptacle at thesecond end of the impeller housing, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a plate, an impeller and an impellerhousing, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the bottom of the impeller housingwith an impeller disposed therein and a motor disposed within areceptacle at the second end of the impeller housing shown in FIG. 9,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective top view of the plate, impeller housing andplate shown in FIGS. 9-10, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a method, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example methods and systems are described herein. Any example embodimentor feature described herein is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments or features. Theexample embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. Itwill be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed systemsand methods can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of differentconfigurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should notbe viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodimentsmay include more or less of each element shown in a given Figure.Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted.Yet further, an example embodiment may include elements that are notillustrated in the Figures.

1. Overview

Example embodiments help to provide a data network that includes aplurality of balloons; for example, a mesh network formed byhigh-altitude balloons deployed in the stratosphere. Since winds in thestratosphere may affect the locations of the balloons in a differentialmanner, each balloon in an example network may be configured to changeits horizontal position by adjusting its vertical position (i.e.,altitude). For instance, by adjusting its altitude, a balloon may beable find winds that will carry it horizontally (e.g., latitudinallyand/or longitudinally) to a desired horizontal location.

Further, in an example balloon network, the balloons may communicatewith one another using free-space optical communications. For instance,the balloons may be configured for optical communications using lasersand/or ultra-bright LEDs (which are also referred to as “high-power” or“high-output” LEDs). In addition, the balloons may communicate withground-based station(s) using radio-frequency (RF) communications.

Exemplary embodiments may be implemented in association with a datanetwork that includes a plurality of balloons. In an exemplaryembodiment, such balloons may include an envelope, a payload, and an airmass fill and release mechanism.

The balloon envelope may be filled with a lifting gas such as helium orhydrogen to provide a lifting force to keep the balloon aloft. Onemethod of controlling the altitude of the balloon is by controlling theamount of lifting gas that is within the balloon envelope. With thismethod of altitude control, lifting gas may be released from the balloonenvelope to reduce the lifting force and lower the balloon, or added tothe balloon envelope to increase the lifting force and raise theballoon. However, there may be a finite amount of lifting gas availableand it may therefore be undesirable to release lifting gas from theballoon envelope to the atmosphere. Therefore, it would be desirable toprovide a means for controlling the altitude of a balloon that did notrequire releasing or adding lifting gas to the balloon envelope.

In the present disclosed embodiments, the altitude of a balloon may becontrolled by controlling the amount of air, and thus the mass of air,that is positioned within the balloon envelope. In particular, thealtitude of the balloon may be increased by reducing the amount of airwithin the balloon envelope, which in turn reduces the mass of airwithin the balloon and overall weight of the balloon. Such a reductionin air mass may be desirable at night when the environmentaltemperatures are low and the temperature of the lifting gas within theballoon envelope is reduced.

Conversely, the altitude of the balloon may be lowered by increasing theamount of air within the balloon envelope, which in turn increases themass of air mass within the balloon and the overall weight of theballoon. Such an increase in air mass may be desirable during the daywhen the environmental temperatures are high and the temperature of thelifting gas within the balloon envelope is increased.

An air-filled bladder, which may also be referred to as a ballonet, maybe positioned within the balloon envelope. As noted above, the altitudeof the balloon may be controlled by controlling the amount, andtherefore the mass, of air within the bladder. When it is desired to thelower the altitude of the balloon, additional air may be added to thebladder to increase the overall weight of the balloon resulting inlowering the altitude of the balloon. Conversely, when it is desired toraise the altitude of the balloon, air may be removed from the bladderto reduce the overall weight of the balloon resulting in raising thealtitude of the balloon. By utilizing a bladder, the amount of liftinggas in the remaining portion of the balloon envelope is unaffected asthe air mass and density is altered.

The present embodiments provide an air mass fill and release mechanismthat may be used to force air into or out of the bladder of the balloonto change the amount of air mass within the bladder and to change theoverall weight of the balloon when desired, without venting lifting gas.The air mass fill and release mechanism includes an impeller housingdisposed within a fixed housing, which in turn is coupled to the balloonenvelope. The impeller housing is moveable relative to the fixedhousing. The impeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in aclosed position, whereas, in an open position, the impeller housingdefines an unobstructed airflow passageway between an internal chamberin a balloon envelope and the atmosphere. Air may be forced into thebladder with a pump or impeller disposed in the impeller housing.Alternatively, air may be forced out of the bladder with the pump orimpeller or the air may simply exit due to the pressure differentialbetween the bladder and atmosphere.

The present embodiments advantageously provide a fill mechanism thatutilizes the impeller or pump only intermittently to adjust the air masswithin the balloon. This intermittent use allows the balloon to conservepower. In addition, the impeller housing creates efficiencies in airflow by providing both an airflow seal and an unobstructed airflowpassageway between the balloon envelope and the atmosphere.Specifically, in various embodiments, the impeller housing comprises ahollow cylindrical body with a first end and a second end and a platehaving a periphery is coupled to the first end of the impeller housing.A flange extends radially outward from the impeller housing below theplate. A plurality of vents are defined in the impeller housing betweenthe plate and the flange, and the airflow passageway is defined from thesecond end of the impeller housing through the hollow cylindrical bodyof the impeller housing to the second plurality of vents. An impeller ora pump is disposed within the impeller housing between the first end andthe second end of the impeller housing.

In operation, the plate is movable relative to the fixed housing from aclosed position to an open position. For example, the periphery of theplate mates with the periphery of the first end of the fixed housing toform a seal in the closed position. In the open position, the plate andat least a portion of the plurality of vents in the impeller housingextend into the balloon envelope. This open position provides fluidcommunication between atmosphere and an internal chamber of the balloonenvelope via the airflow passageway in the impeller housing.

Further, when it is desired to add air to the bladder, the impeller isturned on and air is forced towards the sealing plate prior to movingthe impeller housing into the open position. This prevents air in theballoon envelope from prematurely evacuating. The fixed housingbeneficially provides a plurality of vents in its sidewall to alleviateairflow back pressure on the impeller or pump before the impellerhousing is moved into the open position. Once the spinning impellerreaches operating speed, one or more actuators are activated. Activatingthe actuators causes the impeller housing to disengage from theperiphery of the first end of the fixed housing. As a result of thisdisengagement, the seal between the plate and the fixed housing isopened allowing air to move through the airflow passageway between theatmosphere and the balloon. The operating speed of the impeller iscalculated such that the force of the resulting airflow is greater thanthe force of the air mass acting on the top surface of the plate (e.g.,back pressure from the bladder). When a desired quantity of air has beenmoved into the bladder, the actuators are activated to lower theimpeller housing, while the impeller is still spinning.

Alternatively, when air is to be moved out of the bladder, the impellermay be spun prior to activation of the actuators to counteract the forcefrom the air mass in the balloon envelope acting upon the plate or theforce applied by the actuators may be calculated to overcome the forceof the air mass in the balloon acting upon the plate. Once the actuatorshave moved the plate into the open position, the impeller is stopped andair is allowed to flow from the interior chamber of the balloon envelopethrough the passageway and into the atmosphere. As air flows out, theimpeller may spin in the forward or the reverse direction and thismechanical energy may be advantageously captured by an energy conversiondevice in some embodiments. When a desired quantity of air is moved outof the balloon envelope, the actuators are activated and back-driven tomove the plate into the closed position.

Further, the structure of the fixed and impeller housings have the addedbenefit of being capable of being made out of plastic in someembodiments, unlike other high-speed air compressors. Plasticcompressors contract at a different rate than aluminum compressors atlow temperatures. So manufacturing both the fixed housing and impellerhousing from plastic allows for a tight fit with one another and withouthaving to remove some material to account for operating temperatures.

2. Example Balloon Networks

In some embodiments, a high-altitude-balloon network may be homogenous.That is, the balloons in a high-altitude-balloon network could besubstantially similar to each other in one or more ways. Morespecifically, in a homogenous high-altitude-balloon network, eachballoon is configured to communicate with one or more other balloons viafree-space optical links. Further, some or all of the balloons in such anetwork, may additionally be configured to communicate with ground-basedand/or satellite-based station(s) using RF and/or opticalcommunications. Thus, in some embodiments, the balloons may behomogenous in so far as each balloon is configured for free-spaceoptical communication with other balloons, but heterogeneous with regardto RF communications with ground-based stations.

In other embodiments, a high-altitude-balloon network may beheterogeneous, and thus may include two or more different types ofballoons. For example, some balloons in a heterogeneous network may beconfigured as super-nodes, while other balloons may be configured assub-nodes. It is also possible that some balloons in a heterogeneousnetwork may be configured to function as both a super-node and asub-node. Such balloons may function as either a super-node or asub-node at a particular time, or, alternatively, act as bothsimultaneously depending on the context. For instance, an exampleballoon could aggregate search requests of a first type to transmit to aground-based station. The example balloon could also send searchrequests of a second type to another balloon, which could act as asuper-node in that context. Further, some balloons, which may besuper-nodes in an example embodiment, can be configured to communicatevia optical links with ground-based stations and/or satellites.

In an example configuration, the super-node balloons may be configuredto communicate with nearby super-node balloons via free-space opticallinks. However, the sub-node balloons may not be configured forfree-space optical communication, and may instead be configured for someother type of communication, such as RF communications. In that case, asuper-node may be further configured to communicate with sub-nodes usingRF communications. Thus, the sub-nodes may relay communications betweenthe super-nodes and one or more ground-based stations using RFcommunications. In this way, the super-nodes may collectively functionas backhaul for the balloon network, while the sub-nodes function torelay communications from the super-nodes to ground-based stations.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a balloon network 100,according to an example embodiment. As shown, balloon network 100includes balloons 102A to 102F, which are configured to communicate withone another via free-space optical links 104. Balloons 102A to 102Fcould additionally or alternatively be configured to communicate withone another via RF links 114. Balloons 102A to 102F may collectivelyfunction as a mesh network for packet-data communications. Further, atleast some of balloons 102A and 102B may be configured for RFcommunications with ground-based stations 106 and 112 via respective RFlinks 108. Further, some balloons, such as balloon 102F, could beconfigured to communicate via optical link 110 with ground-based station112.

In an example embodiment, balloons 102A to 102F are high-altitudeballoons, which are deployed in the stratosphere. At moderate latitudes,the stratosphere includes altitudes between approximately 10 kilometers(km) and 50 km altitude above the surface. At the poles, thestratosphere starts at an altitude of approximately 8 km. In an exampleembodiment, high-altitude balloons may be generally configured tooperate in an altitude range within the stratosphere that has relativelylow wind speed (e.g., between 5 and 20 miles per hour (mph)).

More specifically, in a high-altitude-balloon network, balloons 102A to102F may generally be configured to operate at altitudes between 18 kmand 25 km (although other altitudes are possible). This altitude rangemay be advantageous for several reasons. In particular, this layer ofthe stratosphere generally has relatively low wind speeds (e.g., windsbetween 5 and 20 mph) and relatively little turbulence. Further, whilethe winds between 18 km and 25 km may vary with latitude and by season,the variations can be modeled in a reasonably accurate manner.Additionally, altitudes above 18 km are typically above the maximumflight level designated for commercial air traffic. Therefore,interference with commercial flights is not a concern when balloons aredeployed between 18 km and 25 km.

To transmit data to another balloon, a given balloon 102A to 102F may beconfigured to transmit an optical signal via an optical link 104. In anexample embodiment, a given balloon 102A to 102F may use one or morehigh-power light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit an optical signal.Alternatively, some or all of balloons 102A to 102F may include lasersystems for free-space optical communications over optical links 104.Other types of free-space optical communication are possible. Further,in order to receive an optical signal from another balloon via anoptical link 104, a given balloon 102A to 102F may include one or moreoptical receivers. Additional details of example balloons are discussedin greater detail below, with reference to FIG. 3.

In a further aspect, balloons 102A to 102F may utilize one or more ofvarious different RF air-interface protocols for communication withground-based stations 106 and 112 via respective RF links 108. Forinstance, some or all of balloons 102A to 102F may be configured tocommunicate with ground-based stations 106 and 112 using protocolsdescribed in IEEE 802.11 (including any of the IEEE 802.11 revisions),various cellular protocols such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, EV-DO, WiMAX, and/orLTE, and/or one or more propriety protocols developed for balloon-groundRF communication, among other possibilities.

In a further aspect, there may be scenarios where RF links 108 do notprovide a desired link capacity for balloon-to-ground communications.For instance, increased capacity may be desirable to provide backhaullinks from a ground-based gateway, and in other scenarios as well.Accordingly, an example network may also include downlink balloons,which could provide a high-capacity air-ground link.

For example, in balloon network 100, balloon 102F is configured as adownlink balloon. Like other balloons in an example network, a downlinkballoon 102F may be operable for optical communication with otherballoons via optical links 104. However, a downlink balloon 102F mayalso be configured for free-space optical communication with aground-based station 112 via an optical link 110. Optical link 110 maytherefore serve as a high-capacity link (as compared to an RF link 108)between the balloon network 100 and the ground-based station 112.

Note that in some implementations, a downlink balloon 102F mayadditionally be operable for RF communication with ground-based stations106. In other cases, a downlink balloon 102F may only use an opticallink for balloon-to-ground communications. Further, while thearrangement shown in FIG. 1 includes just one downlink balloon 102F, anexample balloon network can also include multiple downlink balloons. Onthe other hand, a balloon network can also be implemented without anydownlink balloons.

In other implementations, a downlink balloon may be equipped with aspecialized, high-bandwidth RF communication system forballoon-to-ground communications, instead of, or in addition to, afree-space optical communication system. The high-bandwidth RFcommunication system may take the form of an ultra-wideband system,which may provide an RF link with substantially the same capacity as oneof the optical links 104. Other forms are also possible.

Ground-based stations, such as ground-based stations 106 and/or 112, maytake various forms. Generally, a ground-based station may includecomponents such as transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers forcommunication via RF links and/or optical links with a balloon network.Further, a ground-based station may use various air-interface protocolsin order to communicate with a balloon 102A to 102F over an RF link 108.As such, ground-based stations 106 and 112 may be configured as anaccess point via which various devices can connect to balloon network100. Ground-based stations 106 and 112 may have other configurationsand/or serve other purposes without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In a further aspect, some or all of balloons 102A to 102F could beconfigured to establish a communication link with space-based satellitesin addition to, or as an alternative to, a ground-based communicationlink. In some embodiments, a balloon may communicate with a satellitevia an optical link. However, other types of satellite communicationsare possible.

Further, some ground-based stations, such as ground-based stations 106and 112, may be configured as gateways between balloon network 100 andone or more other networks. Such ground-based stations 106 and 112 maythus serve as an interface between the balloon network and the Internet,a cellular service provider's network, and/or other types of networks.Variations on this configuration and other configurations ofground-based stations 106 and 112 are also possible.

2a) Mesh Network Functionality

As noted, balloons 102A to 102F may collectively function as a meshnetwork. More specifically, since balloons 102A to 102F may communicatewith one another using free-space optical links, the balloons maycollectively function as a free-space optical mesh network.

In a mesh-network configuration, each balloon 102A to 102F may functionas a node of the mesh network, which is operable to receive datadirected to it and to route data to other balloons. As such, data may berouted from a source balloon to a destination balloon by determining anappropriate sequence of optical links between the source balloon and thedestination balloon. These optical links may be collectively referred toas a “lightpath” for the connection between the source and destinationballoons. Further, each of the optical links may be referred to as a“hop” on the lightpath.

To operate as a mesh network, balloons 102A to 102F may employ variousrouting techniques and self-healing algorithms. In some embodiments, aballoon network 100 may employ adaptive or dynamic routing, where alightpath between a source and destination balloon is determined andset-up when the connection is needed, and released at a later time.Further, when adaptive routing is used, the lightpath may be determineddynamically depending upon the current state, past state, and/orpredicted state of the balloon network.

In addition, the network topology may change as the balloons 102A to102F move relative to one another and/or relative to the ground.Accordingly, an example balloon network 100 may apply a mesh protocol toupdate the state of the network as the topology of the network changes.For example, to address the mobility of the balloons 102A to 102F,balloon network 100 may employ and/or adapt various techniques that areemployed in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Other examples are possibleas well.

In some implementations, a balloon network 100 may be configured as atransparent mesh network. More specifically, in a transparent balloonnetwork, the balloons may include components for physical switching thatis entirely optical, without any electrical components involved in thephysical routing of optical signals. Thus, in a transparentconfiguration with optical switching, signals travel through a multi-hoplightpath that is entirely optical.

In other implementations, the balloon network 100 may implement afree-space optical mesh network that is opaque. In an opaqueconfiguration, some or all balloons 102A to 102F may implementoptical-electrical-optical (OEO) switching. For example, some or allballoons may include optical cross-connects (OXCs) for OEO conversion ofoptical signals. Other opaque configurations are also possible.Additionally, network configurations are possible that include routingpaths with both transparent and opaque sections.

In a further aspect, balloons in an example balloon network 100 mayimplement wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), which may help toincrease link capacity. When WDM is implemented with transparentswitching, physical lightpaths through the balloon network may besubject to the “wavelength continuity constraint.” More specifically,because the switching in a transparent network is entirely optical, itmay be necessary to assign the same wavelength for all optical links ona given lightpath.

An opaque configuration, on the other hand, may avoid the wavelengthcontinuity constraint. In particular, balloons in an opaque balloonnetwork may include the OEO switching systems operable for wavelengthconversion. As a result, balloons can convert the wavelength of anoptical signal at each hop along a lightpath. Alternatively, opticalwavelength conversion could take place at only selected hops along thelightpath.

Further, various routing algorithms may be employed in an opaqueconfiguration. For example, to determine a primary lightpath and/or oneor more diverse backup lightpaths for a given connection, exampleballoons may apply or consider shortest-path routing techniques such asDijkstra's algorithm and k-shortest path, and/or edge and node-diverseor disjoint routing such as Suurballe's algorithm, among others.Additionally or alternatively, techniques for maintaining a particularquality of service (QoS) may be employed when determining a lightpath.Other techniques are also possible.

2b) Station-Keeping Functionality

In an example embodiment, a balloon network 100 may implementstation-keeping functions to help provide a desired network topology.For example, station-keeping may involve each balloon 102A to 102Fmaintaining and/or moving into a certain position relative to one ormore other balloons in the network (and possibly in a certain positionrelative to the ground). As part of this process, each balloon 102A to102F may implement station-keeping functions to determine its desiredpositioning within the desired topology, and if necessary, to determinehow to move to the desired position.

The desired topology may vary depending upon the particularimplementation. In some cases, balloons may implement station-keeping toprovide a substantially uniform topology. In such cases, a given balloon102A to 102F may implement station-keeping functions to position itselfat substantially the same distance (or within a certain range ofdistances) from adjacent balloons in the balloon network 100.

In other cases, a balloon network 100 may have a non-uniform topology.For instance, example embodiments may involve topologies where balloonsare distributed more or less densely in certain areas, for variousreasons. As an example, to help meet the higher bandwidth demands thatare typical in urban areas, balloons may be clustered more densely overurban areas. For similar reasons, the distribution of balloons may bedenser over land than over large bodies of water. Many other examples ofnon-uniform topologies are possible.

In a further aspect, the topology of an example balloon network may beadaptable. In particular, station-keeping functionality of exampleballoons may allow the balloons to adjust their respective positioningin accordance with a change in the desired topology of the network. Forexample, one or more balloons could move to new positions to increase ordecrease the density of balloons in a given area. Other examples arepossible.

In some embodiments, a balloon network 100 may employ an energy functionto determine if and/or how balloons should move to provide a desiredtopology. In particular, the state of a given balloon and the states ofsome or all nearby balloons may be input to an energy function. Theenergy function may apply the current states of the given balloon andthe nearby balloons to a desired network state (e.g., a statecorresponding to the desired topology). A vector indicating a desiredmovement of the given balloon may then be determined by determining thegradient of the energy function. The given balloon may then determineappropriate actions to take in order to effectuate the desired movement.For example, a balloon may determine an altitude adjustment oradjustments such that winds will move the balloon in the desired manner.

2c) Control of Balloons in a Balloon Network

In some embodiments, mesh networking and/or station-keeping functionsmay be centralized. For example, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustratinga balloon-network control system, according to an example embodiment. Inparticular, FIG. 2 shows a distributed control system, which includes acentral control system 200 and a number of regional control-systems 202Ato 202B. Such a control system may be configured to coordinate certainfunctionality for balloon network 204, and as such, may be configured tocontrol and/or coordinate certain functions for balloons 206A to 206I.

In the illustrated embodiment, central control system 200 may beconfigured to communicate with balloons 206A to 206I via a number ofregional control systems 202A to 202C. These regional control systems202A to 202C may be configured to receive communications and/oraggregate data from balloons in the respective geographic areas thatthey cover, and to relay the communications and/or data to centralcontrol system 200. Further, regional control systems 202A to 202C maybe configured to route communications from central control system 200 tothe balloons in their respective geographic areas. For instance, asshown in FIG. 2, regional control system 202A may relay communicationsand/or data between balloons 206A to 206C and central control system200, regional control system 202B may relay communications and/or databetween balloons 206D to 206F and central control system 200, andregional control system 202C may relay communications and/or databetween balloons 206G to 206I and central control system 200.

In order to facilitate communications between the central control system200 and balloons 206A to 206I, certain balloons may be configured asdownlink balloons, which are operable to communicate with regionalcontrol systems 202A to 202C. Accordingly, each regional control system202A to 202C may be configured to communicate with the downlink balloonor balloons in the respective geographic area it covers. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, balloons 206A, 206F, and 206I are configuredas downlink balloons. As such, regional control systems 202A to 202C mayrespectively communicate with balloons 206A, 206F, and 206I via opticallinks 206, 208, and 210, respectively.

In the illustrated configuration, only some of balloons 206A to 206I areconfigured as downlink balloons. The balloons 206A, 206F, and 206I thatare configured as downlink balloons may relay communications fromcentral control system 200 to other balloons in the balloon network,such as balloons 206B to 206E, 206G, and 206H. However, it should beunderstood that in some implementations, it is possible that allballoons may function as downlink balloons. Further, while FIG. 2 showsmultiple balloons configured as downlink balloons, it is also possiblefor a balloon network to include only one downlink balloon, or possiblyeven no downlink balloons.

Note that a regional control system 202A to 202C may in fact just be aparticular type of ground-based station that is configured tocommunicate with downlink balloons (e.g., such as ground-based station112 of FIG. 1). Thus, while not shown in FIG. 2, a control system may beimplemented in conjunction with other types of ground-based stations(e.g., access points, gateways, etc.).

In a centralized control arrangement, such as that shown in FIG. 2, thecentral control system 200 (and possibly regional control systems 202Ato 202C as well) may coordinate certain mesh-networking functions forballoon network 204. For example, balloons 206A to 206I may send thecentral control system 200 certain state information, which the centralcontrol system 200 may utilize to determine the state of balloon network204. The state information from a given balloon may include locationdata, optical-link information (e.g., the identity of other balloonswith which the balloon has established an optical link, the bandwidth ofthe link, wavelength usage and/or availability on a link, etc.), winddata collected by the balloon, and/or other types of information.Accordingly, the central control system 200 may aggregate stateinformation from some or all of the balloons 206A to 206I in order todetermine an overall state of the network.

The overall state of the network may then be used to coordinate and/orfacilitate certain mesh-networking functions such as determininglightpaths for connections. For example, the central control system 200may determine a current topology based on the aggregate stateinformation from some or all of the balloons 206A to 206I. The topologymay provide a picture of the current optical links that are available inballoon network and/or the wavelength availability on the links. Thistopology may then be sent to some or all of the balloons so that arouting technique may be employed to select appropriate lightpaths (andpossibly backup lightpaths) for communications through the balloonnetwork 204.

In a further aspect, the central control system 200 (and possiblyregional control systems 202A to 202C as well) may also coordinatecertain station-keeping functions for balloon network 204. For example,the central control system 200 may input state information that isreceived from balloons 206A to 206I to an energy function, which mayeffectively compare the current topology of the network to a desiredtopology, and provide a vector indicating a direction of movement (ifany) for each balloon, such that the balloons can move towards thedesired topology. Further, the central control system 200 may usealtitudinal wind data to determine respective altitude adjustments thatmay be initiated to achieve the movement towards the desired topology.The central control system 200 may provide and/or support otherstation-keeping functions as well.

FIG. 2 shows a distributed arrangement that provides centralizedcontrol, with regional control systems 202A to 202C coordinatingcommunications between a central control system 200 and a balloonnetwork 204. Such an arrangement may be useful to provide centralizedcontrol for a balloon network that covers a large geographic area. Insome embodiments, a distributed arrangement may even support a globalballoon network that provides coverage everywhere on earth. Of course, adistributed-control arrangement may be useful in other scenarios aswell.

Further, it should be understood that other control-system arrangementsare also possible. For instance, some implementations may involve acentralized control system with additional layers (e.g., sub-regionsystems within the regional control systems, and so on). Alternatively,control functions may be provided by a single, centralized, controlsystem, which communicates directly with one or more downlink balloons.

In some embodiments, control and coordination of a balloon network maybe shared by a ground-based control system and a balloon network tovarying degrees, depending upon the implementation. In fact, in someembodiments, there may be no ground-based control systems. In such anembodiment, all network control and coordination functions may beimplemented by the balloon network itself. For example, certain balloonsmay be configured to provide the same or similar functions as centralcontrol system 200 and/or regional control systems 202A to 202C. Otherexamples are also possible.

Furthermore, control and/or coordination of a balloon network may bede-centralized. For example, each balloon may relay state informationto, and receive state information from, some or all nearby balloons.Further, each balloon may relay state information that it receives froma nearby balloon to some or all nearby balloons. When all balloons doso, each balloon may be able to individually determine the state of thenetwork. Alternatively, certain balloons may be designated to aggregatestate information for a given portion of the network. These balloons maythen coordinate with one another to determine the overall state of thenetwork.

Further, in some aspects, control of a balloon network may be partiallyor entirely localized, such that it is not dependent on the overallstate of the network. For example, individual balloons may implementstation-keeping functions that only consider nearby balloons. Inparticular, each balloon may implement an energy function that takesinto account its own state and the states of nearby balloons. The energyfunction may be used to maintain and/or move to a desired position withrespect to the nearby balloons, without necessarily considering thedesired topology of the network as a whole. However, when each balloonimplements such an energy function for station-keeping, the balloonnetwork as a whole may maintain and/or move towards the desiredtopology.

As an example, each balloon A may receive distance information d₁ tod_(k) with respect to each of its k closest neighbors. Each balloon Amay treat the distance to each of the k balloons as a virtual springwith vector representing a force direction from the first nearestneighbor balloon i toward balloon A and with force magnitudeproportional to d_(i). The balloon A may sum each of the k vectors andthe summed vector is the vector of desired movement for balloon A.Balloon A may attempt to achieve the desired movement by controlling itsaltitude.

Alternatively, this process could assign the force magnitude of each ofthese virtual forces equal to d_(i)×d_(i), for instance. Otheralgorithms for assigning force magnitudes for respective balloons in amesh network are possible.

In another embodiment, a similar process could be carried out for eachof the k balloons and each balloon could transmit its planned movementvector to its local neighbors. Further rounds of refinement to eachballoon's planned movement vector can be made based on the correspondingplanned movement vectors of its neighbors. It will be evident to thoseskilled in the art that other algorithms could be implemented in aballoon network in an effort to maintain a set of balloon spacingsand/or a specific network capacity level over a given geographiclocation.

2d) Example Balloon Configuration

Various types of balloon systems may be incorporated in an exampleballoon network. As noted above, an example embodiment may utilizehigh-altitude balloons, which could typically operate in an altituderange between 18 km and 25 km. FIG. 3 shows a high-altitude balloon 300,according to an example embodiment. As shown, the balloon 300 includesan envelope 302, a skirt 304, a payload 306, and a cut-down system 308,which is attached between the balloon 302 and payload 304.

The envelope 302 and skirt 304 may take various forms, which may becurrently well-known or yet to be developed. For instance, the envelope302 and/or skirt 304 may be made of materials including metalized Mylaror BoPet. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the envelope 302and/or skirt 304 may be constructed from a highly-flexible latexmaterial or a rubber material such as chloroprene. Other materials arealso possible. Further, the shape and size of the envelope 302 and skirt304 may vary depending upon the particular implementation. Additionally,the envelope 302 may be filled with various different types of gases,such as helium and/or hydrogen. Other types of gases are possible aswell.

The payload 306 of balloon 300 may include a processor 312 and on-boarddata storage, such as memory 314. The memory 314 may take the form of orinclude a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium may have instructions stored thereon, which canbe accessed and executed by the processor 312 in order to carry out theballoon functions described herein. Thus, processor 312, in conjunctionwith instructions stored in memory 314, and/or other components, mayfunction as a controller of balloon 300.

The payload 306 of balloon 300 may also include various other types ofequipment and systems to provide a number of different functions. Forexample, payload 306 may include an optical communication system 316,which may transmit optical signals via an ultra-bright LED system 320,and which may receive optical signals via an optical-communicationreceiver 322 (e.g., a photodiode receiver system). Further, payload 306may include an RF communication system 318, which may transmit and/orreceive RF communications via an antenna system 340.

The payload 306 may also include a power supply 326 to supply power tothe various components of balloon 300. The power supply 326 couldinclude a rechargeable battery. In other embodiments, the power supply326 may additionally or alternatively represent other means known in theart for producing power. In addition, the balloon 300 may include asolar power generation system 327. The solar power generation system 327may include solar panels and could be used to generate power thatcharges and/or is distributed by the power supply 326.

The payload 306 may additionally include a positioning system 324. Thepositioning system 324 could include, for example, a global positioningsystem (GPS), an inertial navigation system, and/or a star-trackingsystem. The positioning system 324 may additionally or alternativelyinclude various motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers, magnetometers,gyroscopes, and/or compasses).

The positioning system 324 may additionally or alternatively include oneor more video and/or still cameras, and/or various sensors for capturingenvironmental data.

Some or all of the components and systems within payload 306 may beimplemented in a radiosonde or other probe, which may be operable tomeasure, e.g., pressure, altitude, geographical position (latitude andlongitude), temperature, relative humidity, and/or wind speed and/orwind direction, among other information.

As noted, balloon 300 includes an ultra-bright LED system 320 forfree-space optical communication with other balloons. As such, opticalcommunication system 316 may be configured to transmit a free-spaceoptical signal by modulating the ultra-bright LED system 320. Theoptical communication system 316 may be implemented with mechanicalsystems and/or with hardware, firmware, and/or software. Generally, themanner in which an optical communication system is implemented may vary,depending upon the particular application. The optical communicationsystem 316 and other associated components are described in furtherdetail below.

In a further aspect, balloon 300 may be configured for altitude control.For instance, balloon 300 may include a variable buoyancy system, whichis configured to change the altitude of the balloon 300 by adjusting thevolume and/or density of the gas in the balloon 300. A variable buoyancysystem may take various forms, and may generally be any system that canchange the volume and/or density of gas in the envelope 302.

In an example embodiment, a variable buoyancy system may include abladder 310 that is located inside of envelope 302. The bladder 310could be an elastic chamber configured to hold liquid and/or gas.Alternatively, the bladder 310 need not be inside the envelope 302. Forinstance, the bladder 310 could be a rigid bladder that could bepressurized well beyond neutral pressure. The buoyancy of the balloon300 may therefore be adjusted by changing the density and/or volume ofthe gas in bladder 310. To change the density in bladder 310, balloon300 may be configured with systems and/or mechanisms for heating and/orcooling the gas in bladder 310. Further, to change the volume, balloon300 may include pumps or other features for adding gas to and/orremoving gas from bladder 310. Additionally or alternatively, to changethe volume of bladder 310, balloon 300 may include release valves orother features that are controllable to allow gas to escape from bladder310. Multiple bladders 310 could be implemented within the scope of thisdisclosure. For instance, multiple bladders could be used to improveballoon stability.

In an example embodiment, the envelope 302 could be filled with helium,hydrogen or other lighter-than-air material. The envelope 302 could thushave an associated upward buoyancy force. In such an embodiment, air inthe bladder 310 could be considered a ballast tank that may have anassociated downward ballast force. In another example embodiment, theamount of air in the bladder 310 could be changed by pumping air (e.g.,with an air compressor) into and out of the bladder 310. By adjustingthe amount of air in the bladder 310, the ballast force may becontrolled. In some embodiments, the ballast force may be used, in part,to counteract the buoyancy force and/or to provide altitude stability.

In other embodiments, the envelope 302 could be substantially rigid andinclude an enclosed volume. Air could be evacuated from envelope 302while the enclosed volume is substantially maintained. In other words,at least a partial vacuum could be created and maintained within theenclosed volume. Thus, the envelope 302 and the enclosed volume couldbecome lighter-than-air and provide a buoyancy force. In yet otherembodiments, air or another material could be controllably introducedinto the partial vacuum of the enclosed volume in an effort to adjustthe overall buoyancy force and/or to provide altitude control.

In another embodiment, a portion of the envelope 302 could be a firstcolor (e.g., black) and/or a first material from the rest of envelope302, which may have a second color (e.g., white) and/or a secondmaterial. For instance, the first color and/or first material could beconfigured to absorb a relatively larger amount of solar energy than thesecond color and/or second material. Thus, rotating the balloon suchthat the first material is facing the sun may act to heat the envelope302 as well as the gas inside the envelope 302. In this way, thebuoyancy force of the envelope 302 may increase. By rotating the balloonsuch that the second material is facing the sun, the temperature of gasinside the envelope 302 may decrease. Accordingly, the buoyancy forcemay decrease. In this manner, the buoyancy force of the balloon could beadjusted by changing the temperature/volume of gas inside the envelope302 using solar energy. In such embodiments, it is possible that abladder 310 may not be a necessary element of balloon 300. Thus, invarious contemplated embodiments, altitude control of balloon 300 couldbe achieved, at least in part, by adjusting the rotation of the balloonwith respect to the sun.

Further, a balloon 306 may include a navigation system (not shown). Thenavigation system may implement station-keeping functions to maintainposition within and/or move to a position in accordance with a desiredtopology. In particular, the navigation system may use altitudinal winddata to determine altitudinal adjustments that result in the windcarrying the balloon in a desired direction and/or to a desiredlocation. The altitude-control system may then make adjustments to thedensity of the balloon chamber in order to effectuate the determinedaltitudinal adjustments and cause the balloon to move laterally to thedesired direction and/or to the desired location. Alternatively, thealtitudinal adjustments may be computed by a ground-based orsatellite-based control system and communicated to the high-altitudeballoon. In other embodiments, specific balloons in a heterogeneousballoon network may be configured to compute altitudinal adjustments forother balloons and transmit the adjustment commands to those otherballoons.

As shown, the balloon 300 also includes a cut-down system 308. Thecut-down system 308 may be activated to separate the payload 306 fromthe rest of balloon 300. The cut-down system 308 could include at leasta connector, such as a balloon cord, connecting the payload 306 to theenvelope 302 and a means for severing the connector (e.g., a shearingmechanism or an explosive bolt). In an example embodiment, the ballooncord, which may be nylon, is wrapped with a nichrome wire. A currentcould be passed through the nichrome wire to heat it and melt the cord,cutting the payload 306 away from the envelope 302.

The cut-down functionality may be utilized anytime the payload needs tobe accessed on the ground, such as when it is time to remove balloon 300from a balloon network, when maintenance is due on systems withinpayload 306, and/or when power supply 326 needs to be recharged orreplaced.

In an alternative arrangement, a balloon may not include a cut-downsystem. In such an arrangement, the navigation system may be operable tonavigate the balloon to a landing location, in the event the balloonneeds to be removed from the network and/or accessed on the ground.Further, it is possible that a balloon may be self-sustaining, such thatit does not need to be accessed on the ground. In yet other embodiments,in-flight balloons may be serviced by specific service balloons oranother type of service aerostat or service aircraft.

3. Examples of an Air Mass Fill and Release Mechanism

The present embodiments advantageously provide an air mass fill andrelease mechanism that includes an impeller housing that acts as both aseal and an air flow valve. Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, a balloon 10 isshown having a balloon envelope 12 and a bladder 16 positioned withinthe balloon envelope 12. A sealed lift gas compartment is maintainedbetween the balloon envelope and the bladder 16. In an alternativeembodiment, the balloon envelope 12 may comprise a single chamber. Anair mass fill and release mechanism 20 is securable below the balloonenvelope 16. The payload 14 is mounted to a flange secured along thebottom of the balloon envelope 12 and the air mass fill and releasemechanism 20 is disposed within and through the payload 14.

The air mass fill and release mechanism 20 includes a fixed housing 24that is securable to a balloon envelope 12 and an impeller housing 38comprising an impeller 50. The impeller housing 38 is at least partiallydisposed within the fixed housing 24. The impeller housing 38 comprisesa plurality of vents 48 such that an airflow passageway is defined frominside the impeller housing 38 through the plurality of vents 48. Theimpeller housing 38 is moveable between a closed position 56 and an openposition 58. One or more actuators 52 are configured to move theimpeller housing 38 between the closed position 56 and the open position58. The impeller housing 38 and the fixed housing 24 are arranged suchthat, when the impeller housing 38 is in the closed position 56, theimpeller housing 38 seals an interior volume of a chamber 16 within theballoon envelope 12 that is securable to the fixed housing 24. Theimpeller housing 38 and the fixed housing 24 are further arranged suchthat when the impeller housing 38 is in the open position 58 theimpeller housing 38 extends into and opens the airflow passageway to theinterior volume of the chamber 16 within the balloon envelope 12 that issecurable to the fixed housing 24.

In one embodiment, the fixed housing 24 comprises an open-ended, hollowcylinder 26 defining a first plurality of vents 28 in the cylindricalsidewall 26. The cylindrical sidewall 26 may have a uniform diameteralong its length. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the portion of thefixed housing that defines a first plurality of vents 28 may have alarger diameter than the remaining portion of the fixed housing. In oneembodiment, the first plurality of vents 28 is arranged in an annularconfiguration, as shown. The fixed housing 24 further defines a flange30 that extends radially outward from the cylindrical sidewall 26. Theair mass fill and release mechanism 20 is positioned beneath the balloonenvelope 12 and the bladder 14 such that the flange 30 of the fixedhousing 24 is secured to the balloon envelope 12. Further, as shown inFIGS. 5-8, the fixed housing 24 has an open first end that has aperiphery 32 and a closed second end 34 that defines an aperture 36. Inone embodiment, the bottom side of the closed second end 34 may bereinforced with a plurality of ribs 35.

In another embodiment, the impeller housing 38 is partially disposedwithin the fixed housing 24 and extending through the aperture 36 of thefixed housing 24. The impeller housing 38, shown in detail in FIGS.9-11, comprises a hollow cylindrical body 40 with a first end 42 and asecond end 44. A plate 22 having a periphery 23 is coupled to the firstend 42 of the impeller housing 38. The plate 22 may comprise part of theimpeller housing 38. In some embodiments, the plate 22 and the impellerhousing 38 may be formed as a single unitary structure or may comprisemultiple elements attached together. In one embodiment, a flange 46extends radially outward from the impeller housing 38 below the plate22. In a further embodiment, the bottom side of the flange 46 may bereinforced with a plurality of ribs 47. A second plurality of vents 48are defined in the impeller housing 38 between the plate 22 and theflange 46. In one embodiment, the second plurality of vents 48 isarranged in an annular configuration, as shown. An airflow passageway isdefined from the second end 44 of the impeller housing 38 through thehollow cylindrical body 40 of the impeller housing 38 to the secondplurality of vents 48. An impeller 50, for example, is disposed withinthe impeller housing 38 between the first end 42 and the second end 44of the impeller housing 38.

One or more actuators 52 are in mechanical communication with the flange46 of the impeller housing 38. In alternative embodiments, a pluralityof actuators may be utilized, where the plurality of actuators areevenly spaced apart from one another around the flange 46. Exampleactuators 52 include linear actuators such as piezoelectric motors,servomotors, and solenoids. In various other embodiments, shape memoryalloy actuators may be utilized. The actuators 52 are each optionallydisposed within actuator housings 54. In various embodiments, theactuator housings 54 are coupled to the closed second end 34 of thefixed housing 38. Each actuator 52 extends from its respective actuatorhousing 54 through the closed second end 34 of the fixed housing 24 tothe flange 46 of the impeller housing 38.

The impeller housing 38 is moveable relative to the fixed housing 24 bythe one or more actuators 52. Specifically, the plate 22 is movable froma closed position 56 to an open position 58. In the closed position 56,shown in FIG. 5, the periphery 23 of the plate 22 mates with theperiphery of the first end 32 of the fixed housing 24 to form anairtight seal preventing air from entering or escaping from theballoon's bladder 16. In the open position 58, shown in FIG. 6, theplate 22 and at least a portion of the second plurality of vents 48extend into the balloon envelope 12 providing fluid communicationbetween atmosphere and the balloon's bladder 16 via the airflowpassageway.

When a processor 312, for example, determines that the air mass in thebladder 16 requires adjustment, the processor 312 causes the impeller 50to spin. Once the impeller 50 reaches the appropriate operating speed,the processor 312 sends a signal causing the actuators 52 to beactivated. The appropriate air pressure generated by the impeller 50within the housing 38 to provide suitable air flow into the bladder 16and to counteract backpressure from the air mass in the bladder 16 willvary depending on the altitude of the balloon. One working exampleprovides that at 4000 Pascals of altitude pressure, generating 800Pascals of pressure via the impeller 50 will provide about 5 g/s of airmass flow. In one embodiment, the impeller 50 may generate maximumpressure ratio of altitude pressure to impeller generated air pressureof 1.2. The actuators 52 then advance the impeller housing 38, andtherefore the plate 22, into the balloon envelope 12 opening the airflowpassageway between the balloon's bladder 16 and the atmosphere. Theactuators maintain a holding force while the impeller housing is in theopen position 58. When air has been transferred into or out of theballoon bladder 16, the actuators 52 may receive a signal to return theimpeller housing 38 to the closed position 56. Alternatively, theholding force of the actuators 52 may be deactivated and the force ofthe air mass may return the impeller housing 38 to the closed position56 with the periphery 23 of the plate 22 sealed against the periphery offirst end 32 of the fixed housing 24.

In some embodiments, when the air mass is being decreased and air isexiting the bladder 16, the impeller 50 may spin in reverse or forwardgenerating mechanical energy and an energy conversion device may beutilized to convert that mechanical energy into electrical energy topower this or other systems carried on the payload 14 or the balloonenvelope 12. In some embodiments, the same electronics used to drive themotor 68 may also be designed to recapture energy.

In another embodiment, a plurality of shoulder bolts 18, each with athreaded end and a shoulder end, extend through a plurality of bores 19defined in the closed second end 34 of the fixed housing 24. Thethreaded ends of the shoulder bolts 18 are secured to the flange 46 ofthe impeller housing 38. This arrangement allows the shoulder bolts 18to act as guides to maintain alignment of the impeller housing 38relative to the fixed housing 24 when the impeller housing 38 is movedbetween the open 56 and closed positions 56. The plurality of shoulderbolts 18 are preferably evenly spaced from each other. The number ofshoulder bolts utilized may range from four to twelve bolts andpreferably six bolts.

In a further embodiment, the air mass fill and release mechanism 20includes a gasket 60 disposed between the first end 32 of the fixedhousing 24 and the first end 42 of the impeller housing 38. For example,a gasket 60 may be attached to an inner wall of the fixed housing 24between the first end 32 of the fixed housing 24 and the first pluralityof vents 28. In the open position 58, the gasket 60 creates a sealbetween the fixed housing 24 and the flange 46 of the impeller housing38. This seal ensures that the only air flow passageway is defined fromthe second plurality of vents 48 through the impeller housing 38 and tothe second end 44 of the impeller housing 38. Further, in the closedposition 56, the gasket may seal against the plate 22 further aiding increating an air tight seal between the periphery 23 of the plate 22 andthe periphery of the first end 32 of the fixed housing 24.

In one embodiment, a bottom surface 21 of the plate 22 is convex. Theconvex nature of the plate 22 allows the outwardly extending gasket 60to contact the plate 22 along a downwardly sloping face 21 in the closedposition 58. Further, in another embodiment, the periphery 23 of theplate 22 may extend beyond the periphery of the flange 46 of theimpeller housing 38.

In one embodiment, a motor 68 for driving the impeller 50 is received inthe second end 44 of the impeller housing 38. In a further embodiment,shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the second end 44 of the impeller housing 38defines a receptacle 64 supported by a plurality of struts 66 extendingfrom the receptacle 64 to an inner surface of the impeller housing 38.The motor may be received in receptacle 64 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10.During the air mass exchange, air flows around the plurality of struts66 through the air flow passageway.

Further, the structure of the fixed and impeller housings 24, 38 havethe added benefit of being capable of being made out of plastic in someembodiments, unlike other high-speed air compressors. For example, thefixed and impeller housings 24, 38 may be made from acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE) or polyether ether ketone (PEEK). Plasticcompressors contract at a different rate than aluminum compressors atlow temperatures. Thus, manufacturing both the fixed housing 24 andimpeller housing 38 from plastic allows for a tight fit with oneanother, without having to remove some material to account for operatingtemperatures. Alternatively, in various other embodiments, the fixed orimpeller housings may be made out of aluminum using conventionalmanufacturing techniques.

The air mass fill and release mechanism 20 provided herein utilizes theimpeller 50 or pump only intermittently to adjust the air mass withinthe balloon 10. This intermittent use allows the balloon 10 to conservepower. In addition, the impeller housing 38 creates efficiencies in airflow by providing both an airflow seal and an unobstructed airflowpassageway between the balloon envelope 12 and the atmosphere. As airflows out, the impeller 50 may spin in the reverse direction and thismechanical energy may be advantageously captured by an energy conversiondevice in some embodiments. Further, the fixed and impeller housings 24,38 may be manufactured out of plastic with a tight fit with one anotherand without having to remove some material to account for variations inoperating temperatures. In addition, the altitude of the balloon 10 maybe effectively reduced by adding air mass to the balloon 10 without theventing of lifting gas.

4. Illustrative Methods

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method 1200 that is provided that includesthe step 1210 of operating a control system for a balloon comprised of afixed housing that is configured to be coupled to a balloon envelope andan impeller housing disposed within the fixed housing, wherein theimpeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in a closed position,wherein the impeller housing is moveable into the balloon enveloperelative to the fixed housing in an open position, and wherein theimpeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passageway between aninternal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere in the openposition.

Method 1200 further includes the step 1220 of receiving a signal toincrease or decrease an amount of air within the balloon envelope, aswell as the step 1230 of spinning the impeller. Method 1200 alsoincludes the step of 1240 of causing one or more actuators to move theimpeller housing from the closed position to the open position, and thestep 1250 of moving air between the balloon envelope and the atmosphere.

In a further embodiment, method 1200 may further include the step ofmoving air into the balloon envelope, the step of receiving a signalthat the balloon envelope contains the desired amount of air and thestep of causing one or more actuators to move the impeller housing fromthe open position to the closed position.

In another embodiment, method 1200 may also include the step of stoppingthe impeller, the step of moving air out of the balloon envelope and thestep of spinning the impeller in a reverse direction via air exiting theballoon envelope. In still another embodiment, the method 1200 mayfurther include the step of converting mechanical energy generated bythe impeller spinning in a reverse direction into electrical energy.

In an additional embodiment, the method 1200 may further include thestep of air flowing radially out of the fixed housing through the firstplurality of vents and air flowing out through the second end of theimpeller housing, when the impeller housing is in the closed position.

In a further embodiment, the method 1200 may further include the step ofair flowing out of the impeller housing and into the balloon envelopevia the airflow passageway. In a still further embodiment, the method1200 may further include the step of the impeller spinning at apre-determined operating speed prior to causing the one or moreactuators to move.

In yet another embodiment, the method 1200 may further include the stepsof (a) determining a target speed for the impeller based on pressure,mass or density of air in a balloon envelope, (b) in response todetermining a target speed, spinning the impeller while the impellerhousing is in the closed position, (c) the impeller reaching the targetspeed, and (d) in response to the impeller reaching the target speed,moving the impeller housing into the open position

5. A Non-Transitory Computer Readable Medium with Instructions to Causethe Outlet Ports to be in an Open or Closed State

Some or all of the functions described above and illustrated in FIGS.4-12 may be performed by a computing device in response to the executionof instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium could be, for example, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a cachememory, one or more magnetically encoded discs, one or more opticallyencoded discs, or any other form of non-transitory data storage. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium could also be distributed amongmultiple data storage elements, which could be remotely located fromeach other. The computing device that executes the stored instructionscould be a computing device, such as the processor 312 illustrated inFIG. 3. Alternatively, the computing device that executes the storedinstructions could be another computing device, such as a server in aserver network, or a ground-based station.

The non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructionsexecutable by the processor 312 to perform various functions. Thefunctions could include causing the outlet ports to move from a closedposition to an open position, and vice versa.

6. Conclusion

The above detailed description describes various features and functionsof the disclosed systems, devices, and methods with reference to theaccompanying figures. While various aspects and embodiments have beendisclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosedherein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to belimiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a fixed housing that issecurable to a balloon envelope; an impeller housing comprising animpeller, wherein the impeller housing is at least partially disposedwithin the fixed housing, wherein the impeller housing comprises aplurality of vents, wherein an airflow passageway is defined from insidethe impeller housing through the plurality of vents, and wherein theimpeller housing is moveable between a closed position and an openposition; one or more actuators configured to move the impeller housingbetween the closed position and the open position; and an energyconversion device configured to convert mechanical energy generated bythe impeller into electrical energy, wherein the impeller housing andthe fixed housing are arranged such that, when the impeller housing isin the closed position, the impeller housing seals an interior volume ofa chamber within the balloon envelope that is securable to the fixedhousing; and wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing arefurther arranged such that when the impeller housing is in the openposition the impeller housing extends into and opens the airflowpassageway to the interior volume of the chamber within the balloonenvelope that is securable to the fixed housing.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fixed housing comprises an open-ended, hollowcylinder defining a plurality of vents in a cylindrical sidewall,wherein the fixed housing has an open first end that has a periphery anda closed second end that defines an aperture.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, further comprising a gasket attached to an inner wall of the fixedhousing between the first end of the fixed housing and the plurality ofvents of the fixed housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theimpeller housing comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a first endand a second end and a plate having a periphery that is coupled to thefirst end of the impeller housing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, whereina flange extends radially outward from the impeller housing, and whereinthe plurality of vents are defined in the impeller housing between theplate and the flange.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one ormore actuators are in mechanical communication with the flange of theimpeller housing.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the periphery ofthe plate mates with a periphery of the first end of the fixed housingto form a seal in the closed position, and wherein the plate and atleast a portion of the plurality of vents of the impeller housing extendinto the balloon envelope in the open position providing fluidcommunication between atmosphere and an internal chamber of the balloonenvelope via the airflow passageway.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein a surface of the plate is convex.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the fixed housing defines a flange extending radially outward,wherein the balloon envelope is securable to the flange of the fixedhousing with the flange disposed between a plurality of vents in thefixed housing and the balloon envelope.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the balloon envelope defines a sealed lift gas compartment andthe chamber within the balloon envelope defines a bladder capable offluid communication with the atmosphere via the airflow passageway. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of shoulderbolts each with a threaded end and a shoulder end, wherein the pluralityof shoulder bolts extend through a plurality of bores defined in theclosed second end of the fixed housing such that the threaded ends aresecured to the flange of the impeller housing.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the second end of the impeller housing defines areceptacle supported by a plurality of struts extending from thereceptacle to an inner surface of the impeller housing.
 13. Anapparatus, comprising: a fixed housing that is configured to be coupledto a balloon envelope; an impeller housing disposed within the fixedhousing, wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing form a sealin a closed position, wherein the impeller housing is moveable into theballoon envelope relative to the fixed housing in an open position, andwherein the impeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passagewaybetween an internal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere inthe open position; and an energy conversion device configured to convertmechanical energy generated by the impeller into electrical energy. 14.An apparatus, comprising: an impeller housing comprising a hollowcylindrical body with a first end and a second end; a plate having aperiphery that is coupled to the first end of the impeller housing,wherein a flange extends radially outward from the impeller housing; aplurality of vents defined in the impeller housing between the plate andthe flange, wherein an airflow passageway is defined from the second endof the impeller housing through the hollow cylindrical body of theimpeller housing to the plurality of vents; an impeller disposed withinthe impeller housing between the first end and the second end of theimpeller housing; and an energy conversion device configured to convertmechanical energy generated by the impeller into electrical energy. 15.A method, comprising: operating a control system for a balloon comprisedof a fixed housing that is configured to be coupled to a balloonenvelope and an impeller housing disposed within the fixed housing,wherein the impeller housing and the fixed housing form a seal in aclosed position, wherein the impeller housing is moveable into theballoon envelope relative to the fixed housing in an open position, andwherein the impeller housing defines an unobstructed airflow passagewaybetween an internal chamber in a balloon envelope and the atmosphere inthe open position; receiving a signal to increase or decrease an amountof air within the balloon envelope; spinning the impeller; causing oneor more actuators to move the impeller housing from the closed positionto the open position; moving air between the balloon envelope and theatmosphere; and converting, with an energy conversion device, mechanicalenergy generated by the impeller into electrical energy.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further comprising: moving air into the balloon envelope;receiving a signal that the balloon envelope contains the desired amountof air; and causing the one or more actuators to move the impellerhousing from the open position to the closed position.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: stopping the impeller; moving air out ofthe balloon envelope; and spinning the impeller in a reverse directionvia air exiting the balloon envelope.
 18. The method of claim 15,further comprising: determining a target speed for the impeller based onpressure, mass or density of air in a balloon envelope; in response todetermining a target speed, spinning the impeller while the impellerhousing is in the closed position; the impeller reaching the targetspeed; and in response to the impeller reaching the target speed, movingthe impeller housing into the open position.